Okay Yokuslu available for West Brom's trip to Spurs
New boy Okay Yokuslu has been given the green light to join Albion’s fight against relegation following the receipt of his work visa.
The Turkey international midfielder was due to train with his Baggies team-mates for the first time today, having completed the necessary paperwork following his loan switch from Celta Vigo.
Yokuslu will go straight into the reckoning for Sunday’s trip to Tottenham along with the club’s other deadline day signing, Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Both missed Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Sheffield United, the Baggies’ third defeat in four Premier League matches.
Boss Sam Allardyce is hoping the pair can provide much-needed steel to an Albion team who now find themselves 10 points adrift of safety following Brighton’s shock win over Liverpool on Wednesday night.
Yokuslu in particular has been signed with the aim of protecting a Baggies defence which has conceded a league-high 52 goals in just 22 matches so far – 14 more than Leeds, who possess the next worst defensive record.
The 26-year-old has played for two-and-a-half years in Spain with Celta, having previously starred for Kayserispor and Trabzonspor in his homeland.
In addition to bringing in Maitland-Niles from Arsenal, the Baggies also secured the loan signing of striker Mbaye Diagne from Galatasaray during the January window. Winger Robert Snodgrass joined from West Ham on a permanent deal.
Allardyce said: “We managed three top quality loan players that we hope will make a difference.”
